Supporting ‘live in’ pets in care

A number of grants from the Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA) Pets in Aged Care Grants Program will award various residential aged care facilities and retirement villages around Australia $1,000 each towards supporting live in pets.

The AWLA grant will assist the building of a chicken coop to house Chinese silky bantams for Blue Care dementia patient, Lucy, who has an incredibly strong love of animals and carries photos of her past pets to show staff and other residents.

She is soon to move into secure accommodation, a difficult transition which can sometimes be made easier with animals. As the carer for silky bantams, Lucy will have a role within her new community which will give her a sense of purpose, achievement and enable her to form new relationships more easily. She will be able to hold and groom her pets and will sleep adjacent to the bantams at night.

The grants program is a continuation of AWLA’s Positive Ageing in the Company of Animals Project which began in 2013 to identify successful models for keeping aged care residents and their pets together.

AWLA is thrilled to be supporting aged care residents, facilities and their pets through the grants program and looks forward to seeing the successful projects rolled out and completed.

“We are delighted to be supporting the bond between aged care residents and their own pets. There is a lot of evidence to show pets make people happier and healthier so making provision for pets in aged care accommodation makes good sense,” says Anne Boxhall, AWLA’s executive officer.

Below is a list of other residential care facilities and retirement villages who have secured an AWLA grant:

SOUTHERN CROSS CARE – Springvale Residential Home, VIC

AWLA grant to assist the setting up of a dog run and provide on going care for Bibi, a resident’s live in dog.

Bibi provides her owner with many benefits including improved communication and social interaction and reduced anxiety. Her owner’s physical function and mobility are also improved through dog walking activity two to three times each week.

Care plans have been developed for Bibi along with feeding and walking rosters. Springvale Residential Home has a strong focus on pet friendliness, having implemented a chicken hatching program and caring for a pet rabbit, a cat, another resident’s dogs and aviary birds.

A second AWLA grant for Springvale Residential Home will assist the installation of infrastructure and provide for the on going care of Letitia, a live in dog belonging to a resident.

Letitia provides her owner Beryl with many benefits including a smoother transition into aged care. Letitia reduces anxiety for Beryl by providing support and reassurance. Letitia sleeps in her owner’s room during the night which allows Beryl to trust her environment. Care plans have been developed for Letitia along with a 12 month contract to meet Letitia’s washing and grooming needs. 

BENETAS LOVELL HOUSE – Caulfield North, VIC

AWLA grant to assist with the ongoing care of Dani, a cat belonging to one resident, but enjoyed by many.

Dani is an important part of the Lovell House environment, providing comfort and company for her owner and residents. Dani’s owner is proud that her pet provides enjoyment and solace for all residents. This grant will provide a scratching post for the common area to allow Dani to scratch in view of those resting in the lounge area. It will also provide for food, toys, grooming, vet checks and vaccinations, kitty litter, collar and council registration.

ZION LUTHERAN HOME – Nundah, QLD

AWLA grant to assist the installation of two cat doors into specialised glass, to assist live in arrangements for Olly the cat and his owner, John.

Olly’s owner John lives on the second floor and becomes anxious if his cat is out of sight for too long. Being wheelchair bound, checking up on Olly is challenging for John. The installation of cat doors on the upper floors will assist Olly’s movement and ease John’s anxiety. Zion is a pet friendly facility with turtles, budgies, a facility cat and two small dogs who come in with staff daily.

MERCY HEALTH – Shepparton, VIC

AWLA grant to assist with the ongoing care of Buddy, a dog owned by a resident.

Buddy is 13 years old and has been with his owner since puppyhood. After a difficult period without Buddy when his owner first moved into care, it was decided that Buddy should move in too. Now Buddy is bringing pleasure to many residents and a walking group has been formed to take Buddy out during the day. A feeding regime is in place with staff, residents and carers all chipping in to meet Buddy’s needs. The grant will assist to provide food, vet care, grooming and toys.

For the full list of 2014 Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA) Pets in Aged Care Grant recipients and projects, visit the AWLA website.